screen grab, [#]

There’s yet another salvo in the will-they-or-won’t-they monorail soap opera. The city council decided not to follow the Mayor’s demand to force a vote on the issue this November. Instead, the council will consider a plan that gives the Seattle Monorail Project until December to write their own ballot measure for the February elections:

Godden said today’s decision should not be seen as pro-SMP. The council avoided a November revote only “because that would be a weak thing to do,” she said. “Either the monorail gets its act together or goes out of business.” [seattletimes]

Was that bit about “weak” a slap at Nickels? Who knows — but suddenly city politics seem intriguing, don’t they?

Careful calendar observers might note that next Tuesday is the fourth Tuesday of the month of September. And by the arbitrary conventions of Metroblogging Seattle, it means that it is time for the authors and readers of this site to step away from their laptop computers, dress in something other than pajamas, and break forth from their caves into the real world to hang out, eat, drink, and generally be social creatures.

Per our custom, we’ll be at the Elysian Brewpub (1221 E Pike St.) at 7 pm on the 26th of September. If the organizer is on the ball, there might even be a sign so that you can distinguish us from the rest of the people in the restaurant.

Now, we aren’t kidding about this! We really want you to come — it will be fun and not that scary at all. It’s getting on autumn; so the possibility of the Elysian having pumpkin ale seems real and tantalizing and ever so hard to resist. So, clear out a spot for us on your Tuesday agenda and RSVP [upcoming] so that we’ll know to expect you and we won’t need to do an awkward scramble to borrow chairs from other diners, interrupting their very serious conversations, et c.

Finally, this is usually a good time to let you know that there’s room on this ship for a few more members who are into the group weblog scene. If you’re mildly obsessive about Seattle-related topics and want to join the Metroblogging family, point your browser over to the application [#].

Let me just say this first, hades yes, I’m a groupie. I love love love The Woggles. And let me tell you, ever since I found out they were playing here in Seattle I’ve been super excited. And finally the wait is almost over. That’s right, they’re playing this weekend at both The Funhouse (9/24) and The Sunset Tavern (9/25).

If you don’t know The Woggles, you should. Self-described as “a splash of surf, a pinch of rhythm and blues, a few fistfuls of soul, a whole lotta 60′s-inspired rock n’ roll,” [#] The Woggles put on a high energy show that makes the normal standing and head bobbing impossible.

Seriously. I’ve never been disappointed at a Woggles show, but don’t just take my word for it, a quick Google search unearthed these tidbits:

• “The Woggles are one of the best live acts working now — in any style or any genre.” [splendid mag]
• “…elements similar to both The Who (song structures and individual performance) and The Hives (intensity and general in-your-face brashness) were abound during the set, all of which helped to make The Woggles live show one of the most competent and frighteningly satisfying experiences the Detroit area
  

I headed, tonight, to the Seattle Weblogger Meetup at Ralph’s Deli in Belltown. I’ve been going to these meetups longer than I care to admit, and certainly since they were still at Uptown Espresso a few blocks away. (Full disclosure: when I moved here two and a half years ago, I didn’t know anyone in town. It was through these meetups that I eventually met several of my closest local friends.) Most of the usual group was there, some folks with several children in tow. These kids, though, they grow in big leaps since I only see most of them once a month…and I remember when they were all just a rapidly growing belly.
I was out of town last month when a reporter showed up to write a story on my friends, so I was interested to see tonight who came around because of the article. I admit that I had expected an influx of new folks curious to check out the phenomenon, but it seems that I had overestimated. Which was fine. There were a few new guys that stopped by and though I, in my usual way, didn’t really talk to them, they seemed nice enough.

I always enjoy these meetups because there’s always something different happening everywhere in the room. I encourage everyone to come by next month on the 19th. Kids and puppies are welcome, there’s beer available, and someone always has a new and nifty toy. September’s meetup, though not as crowded as I had expected, was still a general success.

Recently it struck me that the only way to get fit was to stop talking about it and actually DO something about it. With that in mind, I joined the YMCA in Downtown Seattle. Over the past year–during my “talking about it” phase–I checked out a variety of gyms in Seattle. There are a lot of great facilities out there but the Y hooked me with their offerings of an excellent facility with a variety of well-maintained machines, a swimming pool complete with lifeguard, friendly & knowledgeable staff, clean locker rooms with sauna, jacuzzi and steamroom, and a quietly supportive atmosphere. Membership is more than affordable for most and if you’re one of those people who can’t quite manage it, you might qualify for financial asistance. Facility membership entitles you to take classes for free or at reduced rates that cover a variety of topics including fitness and much more.

I don’t know what it’s like at other gyms, but it’s grea fun to see the vast variety of folks who work out at the Y; there are people in all kinds of different shapes so if you’ve held back from joining a gym because you feel like you won’t quite fit in, do not let that stop you.

Thursday, September 29, the 48 Hour Film Project and (Landmark Cinema are teaming up to present a Hurricane Katrina benefit:

Funny Shorts Made Fast – a collection of some of the funniest films from the 48 Hour Films archives.

Here in Seattle the benefit begins at 7:30 at the Varsity at 4329 University Way NE.

Tickets are $10 with all proceeds going to the American Red Cross

for more info check out the benefit’s site at http://www.48hourfilm.com/relief.htm

Hey, how come I’m getting free wifi at the airport? When did this happen? I mean, this is the AIRPORT. Nothing is free here. In fact, you get charged extra, for anything you would care to buy. I keep expecting someone to come up, tap me on the shoulder, and ask to charge my credit card.

vivace: take a break!

Continuing this site’s ongoing fascination with the evolving standards of cafe wireless internet access, it’s worth mentioning that the Espresso Vivace Roasteria has joined the ranks of cafés like Victrola in a bid to get people to break their online addictions. I’m not sure how long they’ve had the policy (I usually stop at the sidewalk location), but today I noticed a sign announcing that WiFi would be turned off in the cafe from 8 am to 6 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Everyone knows that you should take a break from your weblogs on the weekends. That time is better spent suffering over your attempt at the Great American Novel.

previously on metroblogging seattle:

• Cafe Culture 2.0 (Victrola) [#]
• Free Coffeehouse Wireless Redux : University Zoka [#]

Seattle Times Photo Gallery [#]

The primary election results are in and with them come funny pictures of people voting, winning, and losing. This Seattle Times shot of Jan Drago’s victorious expression definitely takes the early lead in the quest for the most awesome post-election photo.

Comment with links to your favorites, humorous captions for this photo, or your favorites with humorous captions. The winner will receive something fantastic, like a free pint of pumpkin ale at our next happy hour.

Perhaps you remember this summer’s hot new advertising trend of using homeless people to advertise a poker website? [mb] If not, last night’s Daily Show featured their take on the embarrassing innovation of “bumvertising”, including a thoroughly punishing interview with the University of Washington graduate who came up with the idea of exploiting the homeless to make a quick buck.

Check the Daily Show’s website where the video (“Face for Rent”) should show up after noon [comedycentral] or just tune in for the re-runs of the show today.

related:

• Providing evidence of convergent evolution, Jake Bronstein came up with (and photographed) a similar concept this summer in New York [#]